After a week off, we are back with the week 8 performances of some of the lesser known rookies. Pay attention and grab some of these rookies before they are more well known.

After my article and a string of successful games, Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Jerome Baker, Baker has taken a backseat to fellow linebacker Raekwon McMillan. All of the sudden, linebacker McMillan is back on the Miami Dolphins good graces. After Baker out-snapped McMillan in week 4 and 6, McMillan has severally out-snapped Baker the past two weeks and has led the Dolphins in tackles.

Baker, for his part, has still been able to produce good numbers despite the decreased snap share. Playing only 59% of the Dolphins defensive snaps, Baker totaled six tackles in week 8 against the Houston Texans. Baker has five or more tackles in 6-of-8 weeks.

While he will not be the most prolific linebacker with a decreased snap share, Baker is still startable most weeks. Baker should be rostered in all leagues and is especially valuable in dynasty.

Cincinnati Bengals rookie safety Jessie Bates should be in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year. Since week 1, Bates has been a playmaker for the Bengals. Bates has three or more tackles in every week and five or more in 7-of-8 weeks. This includes six tackles against the Buccaneers in week 8. Bates also added three passes defended and an interception for a touchdown against the Buccaneers.

The #Steelers haven't had a safety that can make a play like this since Troy. And now, because they don't know how to draft defensive backs, they don't have this guy either. Jessie Bates is a baller pic.twitter.com/NeRcG0pkyC

Lining up across from second-year cornerback Shaquill Griffin, who is slowly becoming a premier corner in the league, means that Flowers will see a lot more targets. This is fantastic for IDP fantasy as it will give him more chances to make plays. Flowers has shown he is able to handle the targets and is a top option at cornerback in IDP. He should be rostered and started in all IDP leagues that separate the defensive backs.

Beware that the Steelers may be working Burnett back into the rotation and Edmunds snap share may drop in the coming weeks. However, with Edmunds role seemingly cemented and his consistent production, he is a good bye week fill-in and spot starter.

Burks’ drop in snaps may have to do with the Los Angeles Rams base offensive scheme. The Rams play with three wide receivers, one tight end, and one running back, known as “11 personnel”, more than anyone in the league. They also rarely us their tight end in the pass game.

Burks is phenomenal in pass coverage. He fits perfectly next to fellow linebacker Blake Martinez‘s run-stopping prowess. Despite the drop in snaps in week 8, I expect Burks to see more responsibility as the season progresses. Burks should be rostered in deep and dynasty leagues and may be startable late in 2018.

In 5 games, Alexander has 26 total tackles, one tackle for loss, half of a sack, six passes defended, and one interception. In three of his five games, Alexander has 7 or more tackles. Alexander needs to be rostered in every league that separates the defensive backs.

Be sure to continue to follow this column and get a jump on up and coming rookies that are on the verge of a breakout.

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